Rome in a Day: Full Day Rome & Vatican Tour

Only one day to check off all the must-sees in Rome? Andiamo! In one action-packed day you’ll tour Vatican City including the Sistine Chapel, followed by the Colosseum, Roman Forum and the iconic piazzas and fountains of historic Rome. 

What We Love About This Tour: 

• Tick more than a dozen “must sees” off your bucket list on this full-day tour 

• So many takeaways! Learn the meaning of “Caput Mundi,” how much work went into painting  the Sistine Chapel, and did all roads really lead to Rome? 

• Skip-the-line priority access to three major Rome venues 

Itinerary

Meet your guide just steps from the Vatican and enjoy priority entrance as we head past the queues and straight inside the Vatican Museums. See the major works of art ranging from ancient Greek and Roman sculptures to Renaissance masterpieces, and learn how the two are closely intertwined. Much of this tour will be dedicated to the rooms of Raphael and the extraordinary frescoed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. From the commissioning of this colossal masterpiece to the finishing touches applied by Michaelangelo Buonarroti, your guide will help you to discern between myth, fact, and popular Hollywood fiction regarding this majestic work of art. 

After spending ample time inside the Sistine Chapel you may remain inside the Vatican Museums as long as you like, or exit and visit St. Peter’s Basilica on your own. 

After a break for lunch, regroup at the Colosseum and enjoy fast track entry to the vast arena, the Icon of Rome built in 72AD to seat up to 50,000 spectators. Once inside, your guide will paint an accurate picture of the Gladiator games that took place in the Roman Empire’s most impressive arena, helping you to decipher between fact, fiction, and the images portrayed by big-screen Hollywood blockbusters.

After walking around the perimeter of the Colosseum, gaze down onto the arena floor and beneath to the maze-like underground level where man and beast awaited their moment of glory or met their fateful death. 

With the Colosseum behind you, travel even further back in time as you enter the Roman Forum: the true heart of Ancient Rome with monuments dating as far back as the 7th century BC. Learn of the legendary founding of Rome on the Palatine hill and how a she-wolf rescued and nursed the young twins Romulus (the first King of Rome) and Remus after they washed up on the banks of the Tiber River, and how these famous twins would pave the way for future tyrants, Emperors, and even Caesars who declared themselves Gods throughout the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. 

As we change gears and fast-forward many a century, no visit to Rome is complete without a trip to the Trevi Fountain. This renaissance jewel was immortalized in Fellini’s film “La Dolce Vita” by none other than Anita Ekberg, who dared to take an impromptu dip. Be sure to toss three coins into the blue water before moving on to our next port of call: the Pantheon. Tour this astonishing architectural marvel built nearly 2,000 years ago as a Pagan temple to honor the Gods, and learn why it is the best preserved of all the Roman ruins in the city.  

Your tour concludes at Piazza Navona, the most beautiful of Rome’s renaissance piazzas. As you stroll across this picturesque promenade that lies above what was once emperor Domitian’s stadium, you’ll enjoy the scene of buskers and street artists while Bernini’s remarkable Baroque fountains take center stage. Enjoy a refreshing aperitivo or dinner in one of the local characteristic trattorias.

DEPARTURE:   Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 

DURATION:    Approx. 11 hours including a 3.5 hour break. 

What’s Included: 

• Skip-the-line tickets to the Colosseum & Roman Forum

• Skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel 

• Fully guided tour, broken into two segments 

• Small groups of max 15 participants

Not Included: 

• Hotel pickup and dropoff 

• Transport between the Vatican and the Colosseum

• Gratuities

• Personal extras 

Important to Know:

• The ground in the Roman Forum is composed of large stone or dirt pathways that can be difficult to navigate with strollers or wheelchairs. 
• Only small bags or purses are allowed in the Vatican and the Colosseum. No large bags or weapons allowed, and a cloakroom is available at the Vatican only. 
• Tour departs rain or shine
• Unfortunately, wheelchairs and strollers cannot be accommodated on this tour. Contact us to determine the best way to visit Ancient Rome with small children or guests confined to wheelchairs. 

Important to Bring: 

• Comfortable shoes for walking 
• A hat and sunblock during summer months 
• Water

Covid-19 compliance: For the most accurate and up-to-date information click here. 

• In accordance with Italian Covid-19 safety regulations, all guests ages 12 and older will be required to show proof of Vaccination (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson or AstraZeneca) or a negative Covid-test taken within 48 hours of the tour. 
• Please note that due to current local Covid-19 measures, all customers will be required to bring and wear a mask during the entire visit.  

Terms and conditions:

• Changes and cancellation are possible free of charge up to 72 hours before the start time. If the desired change involves a tour of greater value, the balance will be due upon rebooking
• Any cancellations made within 72 hours and no-shows are non-refundable.
• Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by at least one adult to join a tour or an activity.

See https://www.italiadeals.com/terms for complete terms and conditions